Where DID she go?

Tis the season to be busy. Maybe too busy. I am so sorry that I’ve fallen behind in every respect. I wish I could say I had amazing things to report, but alas, I do not. I’ve just been trying to keep up with the craziness of life.

We had Halloween, and then all the sudden it was Thanksgiving. My kids had conferences at school, and I’ve spent every day stressing that my youngest (precious adopted daughter) might have yet again been lying, stealing, or sneaking all day long at school.

I ended up with heartburn this afternoon because of my worry over her behavior, then come to find out she stole a toy from her brother and gave it to another kid at school. Another boy who is friends with her brother told him that he saw her giving the other kid the toy. Needless to say, it really hurt him to know his sister would do that.

This is a rather serious snippet of what things have been like, deteriorating little by little as the school year progresses. Between prescription meds, regular therapy, and self-help books up the wazoo, I’m doing everything I can to help her make better choices. This is just a quick description, so it doesn’t even cover everything that we think and feel going through the process of helping a sweet little girl cope with a tough life beginning.

A lot of days, like today, I’m feeling discouraged, but I’ll keep praying and keep loving, and keep saying all the things that she needs to hear–the loving and the hard stuff–so that I can know that I have loved her with a never ending, always hoping, always encouraging, always there for her sort of love. And I want the same for all my kids. They are each so different and special to me. It’s hard to be a mom and not worry about your kids’ futures, but I certainly don’t want to lose hope.

And I’ll just stop here to share my other favorite meme . . .

I know this is an odd excuse to make for my relative personal silence and inconsistency here over the last few months, but I’ve just been putting a ton of energy into these little lives. Today I just needed to share. I’m running out of steam and am tired, but I have soooooo much to be thankful for.

Tomorrow is the debut of Book 3 in my series, Chronicles of the Twelve Realms. The Treasonous is going to be great! That’s something to look forward to. I’m happy to share it.

And I’ve got some ideas for my email newsletter that I’m excited about. I’d love it if you’d sign up to receive it if you haven’t already (and if you have, THANK YOU!!! ❤ ). I’ll hopefully be sending them out more regularly with interesting information and extras. I have thus far not been great at it.

36 thoughts on “Where DID she go?”

LOL yes, exactly so. I guess I’d be more upset about it if I didn’t love them so much! I’m pretty invested in their futures and want to see them each grow up to be confident, loving, kind, faithful, strong, and happy (and more, but that list will get looong quick!) individuals. ❤

I didn’t know you had an adopted daughter. That is an amazing thing to do. I am in awe of your big heart. 🙂 I am sure that with your love and patience, she will get there. Tell me, if I’m being too nosy, but have you had her long?

You’re a brave Lady and a Good Mom Rachael your efforts prove that.
Parenthood can be a great trial. We have two daughters and one son. Boys tend to goof and usually its up front. (I could have a blazing row with my son, he’d stalk off; then 10 mins later a voice would call ‘Hey Dad! Do you want play Mario?’- all done. Girls not so easy. Dramas, confrontations; things going on behind your back; somewhere after 5 they can cease to be cute and its a long haul until they reach…. who knows.
We’ll be thinking of you. Hang on in, and keep on. When it gets to exploding point, you’ve got your blog buddies.
(PS: Anyone who appears to be a perfect parent with apparently polite, happy, well-adjusted children….Worry about what they’re putting in the kids cereal!)
Best wishes
Roger (currently re-decorating…slowly. Writing History of the Isles & Patchwork Warriors (the characters of the latter have taken over!) & re-fighting the War of the Austrian Succession-long story)

Thanks for encouraging me, Roger. You are so right about kids, esp difference between boys and girls. 🙂 I’ve got two of each, but not a one of them is like the other. You are such a good and true blogging buddy! THANK YOU! (PS I love your quirky and fun characters. I can’t wait to see their decorating! 🙂 )

Yeh, that’s kids! (whatever age). But WP folk will keep on keeping on! 😉
Oh yes, now my characters have upset the carefully crafted nature of the world I created; they’ve done something very peculiar to the temporal flow, and expect me to sort it out! Thank goodness I’ve got one reasonably sober fellow in the mix who understands and explains these things!….Characters eh?…Sometimes more trouble that children 🙂!!)
Take care

You always know how to make me smile. 🙂 Thanks for that, Roger! And we shall keep on keeping on! Especially since there’s no doubt in my mind you can handle something as trivial as a temporal flow peculiarity. 😉

A big *HUG* for you, dear! I will be praying for you and your daughter. Keep hope, remember you are not alone in this, cast your burdens upon Him. These things take time, but with your loving guidance and God’s help, your daughter can grow to be the beautiful woman on the inside she was meant to be. ❤
And congrats on the release of The Treasonous! I cannot wait to read it! I know these are somber times, but I wanted to congratulate you for all the work you've put into it.

Thanks, Judy! To everything there is a season. I believe that, even when I can’t see the outcome. I just love my family so much and want to see each and every one of my kids grow up to be content, confident adults that I find myself sweating the small stuff sometimes. Your encouragement is so appreciated! ❤

LOL How old is that adage? 🙂 It’s true. And it’s also why I’ve lost focus and haven’t gotten your guest post together yet, but it will happen SOON! I’ll email you as soon as I get my act together. haha THANK YOU for being patient with me and for being a guest, Paul!

Hi ya – I’m in a similar boat with my youngest. I’m trying hard to get him to settle down in school and nothing seems to be working. The drain on my time and energy means very little writing time. We just keep moving on eh?

Yes, moving forward, hoping that all the love, discipline, time, affection, and devotion we shower on them will sink in. Two of my very best friends were adopted (both younger than my daughter…) and have grown into some of the most beautiful, kindhearted women I know. Sometimes it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, as they say. Or the tree for the forest? Or is the for forest for the trees? I think I should avoid these sayings. Especially when I’m exhausted! haha!

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Rachael Ritchey is a dreamer who believes in the resilience of the human spirit. She never wants to forget we are not what has happened to us or what we've done. She believes we are deep wells of compassion and strength, and when unleashed, these subtle super powers can change the world, even if only just one person at a time.
Rachael writes with an eye toward exemplifying these attributes. Her clean but real and true-to-self YA fiction reflects these qualities with daring adventure and sweet romance that almost anyone can enjoy. Rachael lives in Spokane, WA with her husband, kids, and their dog named Hashtag.